Folding bath-tub



(No Model.)

E. A. OBRIEN. FOLDING BATH TUB.

` PatentedJune 21, 1892.

Znvenorf l lrien UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELIZABETH A. OBRIEN, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

FOLDING BATH-TU B.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 477,443, dated June 21, 1892. Application filed July 22, 1891. Serial No. 400,346- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Beit known that I, ELIZABETH A. OBRIEN, of Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Bath- Tubs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates `to certain new and useful improvements in bath-tubs, whereby the same can readily be folded up into a convenient form to be packed or otherwise handled, as may be desired; and my invention consists in features of novelty hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.`

FigureIisa perspective of my improved device, showing the same set up ready for taking a bath. Fig. II is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. III is a transverse section. Fig. IV is a perspective showing the manner of folding the bath-tub.

Referring to the drawings, l represents the main frame of the bath-tub, made in two C- shaped segments, which are hinged to each other at their ends, as shown at 2.

3 represents a rubber cloth or other iiexible material forming a bowl for holding the water used in bathing, the same being secured to the frame l by the nails 4, said bowl 3 be- .ing provided with an opening 5, through which the water may be discharged and having a rubber or otherstopper 6 for closing said opening while the tub is in use.

7 represents a concave flexible head-piece secured to and curved to conform to one end of the frame, as shown in Fig. I, which also folds up in the same manner as the bowl.

8 represents legs hinged to the under side of the frame l, as shown at 9, so that they may be folded u p, when desired, in close contact with the under side of said frame, (see Fig. IV,) said legs being made tapering, so as to fold together neatly and in close juxtaposition and occupy less room than they otherwise would. Vhen it is desired to use the bath-tub, the legs 8 are changed from their folded position, as shown in Fig. IV, to the vertical position, as shown in Fig. I, and are held in their vertical position by means ot hooks 10, secured tothe under side of said frame l, engaging in eyelets 1l on the legs S.

l2 represents hooks secured to the frame 1 near their point of meeting at the hinge 2, said hooks engaging in eyelets 13 on the opposite section when the frame is opened out in order to hold the same in the position shown in FigrI. p

14 represents a hook secured to one section of the frame l, which may engage in an eyelet 15 in the opposite section when the frame has lbeen folded, in order to hold the same in its folded position.

I claim as my inventionl. In a folding bath-tub, the combination of an elongated main frame composed of two C-shaped segments hinged together at their opposite extremities so as to fold lengthwise and forming the sides and ends of the frame, an elongated bowl formed of flexible waterholding material, secured to the frame at the sides and ends, and a head-restiover the bowl at one end of the frame and consisting of flexible material having its edges secured to the frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a folding bathtub, the combination of two C-shaped sections forming the frame, hinges connecting the ends of the sections at the top, whereby saidlsections are permitted to fold one against the other longitudinally of the tub, and a bowl formed of flexible material the edges of which are secured to said sections, whereby the bowl is adapted to fold within the sections, substantially as shown "and described.

ELIZABETH A. OBRIEN. Witnesses:

J As. E. KNIGHT, F. E. MALLETT. 

